Baseball free agency isn’t what it used to be, if the just-concluded World Series is any indication.

The runner-up Kansas City Royals thrived with a roster that included just two players who arrived as free agents: second baseman Omar Infante and left-hander Jason Vargas.

The champion San Francisco Giants featured more free agent acquisitions, but the heart of the team -- ace left-hander Madison Bumgarner, catcher Buster Posey and the entire regular infield -- consisted of homegrown players.

While right-hander Tim Hudson and outfielder/first baseman Michael Morse arrived as free agents this year and contributed to San Francisco’s success, the Giants know better than most teams the perils of the free agent market. See: Zito, Barry (seven years, $126 million); and Rowand, Aaron (five years, $60 million).

The meat of this year’s free agent class is pitchers -- both starters and relievers.

The biggest paydays figure to go to a pair of 30-year-olds: Detroit Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer and Oakland A’s left-hander Jon Lester. Scherzer won the American League Cy Young Award in 2013, and he followed up with another quality season in 2014. Lester was part of two World Series-winning teams with the Boston Red Sox, and he helped pitch the A’s to the postseason this year after a July 31 trade.

Other starting pitchers available include Royals right-hander James Shields, Baltimore Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen and Giants right-hander Jake Peavy. Japanese right-hander Kenta Maeda also could make a splash if he is posted by the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.

Teams looking for a closer will have a number of free agent options. Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Francisco Rodriguez, New York Yankees right-hander David Robertson, Red Sox right-hander Koji Uehara and Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Casey Janssen all will be available.

The free agent position-player pool isn’t as deep as the pitching pool.

The Brewers’ Aramis Ramirez could join the Giants’ Pablo Sandoval as one of the top available third basemen if Ramirez decides to pass on a $14 million mutual option. Sandoval is 28 years old, while Ramirez is 36, which figures to distinguish them in terms of the length of their new deals.

Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez, 35, is another productive player whose payday might be limited by his age.

The Orioles’ Nelson Cruz and the Blue Jays’ Melky Cabrera top the outfield list, but both come with the baggage of previous suspensions for performance-enhancing drugs. Cuban outfielder Yasmani Tomas also will field sizable offers.

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Russell Martin is the lone elite free agent catcher. Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez heads the group of middle infielders, while the Nationals’ Adam LaRoche leads the available first basemen.

Free agency officially starts Thursday at 9 a.m. ET, though teams retain exclusive rights to their potentially departing players until Monday at 11:59 p.m. ET. During that period, clubs must decide whether to tender a one-year, $15.3 million qualifying offer to retain draft-pick compensation should a player sign with another club.

Here is a team-by-team look at the players headed to free agency:

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

FREE AGENT: OF Nolan Reimold

Reimold refused the Diamondbacks’ outright assignment to the minors and became a free agent.

Cuddyer is 35, missed 99 games this season with three stints on the disabled list due to shoulder and hamstring injuries and made $10.5 million each of the past three seasons. He is still a very good hitter and provides veteran leadership. However, other outfielders emerged for the Rockies, who are likely to cut ties with Cuddyer. Colorado holds an inexpensive $2.25 million option with a $250,000 buyout on Hawkins, who contributed significantly on and off the field this season and turns 42 in December. Belisle and Morales are unlikely to return as the Rockies rebuild their bullpen. Masset provides solid velocity, but he will be gone unless the Rockies decide missing nearly all of 2012 and 2013 contributed to his command issues this season.

Aside from the players who control their options, don’t look for anyone on this list to be in a Dodgers uniform next season. Beckett will retire. The rest of the pitchers will be discarded. The Dodgers also likely will part ways with Ramirez, letting some other team pay for his tantalizing offensive talent -- then deal with his constant injury issues and declining defensive ability.

SAN DIEGO PADRES

FREE AGENTS: RHP Tim Stauffer, RHP Josh Johnson (club option)

Stauffer is the longest tenured Padre and was a first-round pick (fourth overall) in the 2003 draft. He is very popular with the Padres. Stauffer, 32, who has been the long man in the Padres bullpen the past two seasons, still sees himself as a starting pitcher and will likely sign with a team willing to give him that opportunity. Johnson underwent a second Tommy John surgery in April. The Padres likely will decline his $4 million option.

The Giants will make a big play to bring back Sandoval. Peavy figures to leave after a half-season rental, but Vogelsong could find staying at AT&T Park to be attractive. Romo lost his closer role this year, so he might head elsewhere for a chance to return to ninth-inning duty.

Villanueva proved valuable as both a starter and in relief after signing a two-year extension worth $5 million annually in 2013. Villanueva was 5-7 with a 4.64 ERA and two saves over 77 2/3 innings pitched. The Cubs probably won’t pick up the options on Fujikawa and Wada.

Santiago was among the Reds’ least-used players until injuries got him more playing time. Santiago played well to put himself in consideration to resign, but the Reds’ bench can be strengthened with prospects. Ludwick’s career in Cincinnati is likely over with the Reds looking to pursue a more permanent and productive option in left field. Ludwick, 36, has a $9 million mutual option with a $4.5 million buyout. Cueto won 20 games and led the National League in strikeouts and innings. It’s a virtual lock that the club will pick up his $10 million club option. The Reds will decline Hannahan’s $4 million option.

It’s safe to assume that Weeks’ tenure has come to an end after 10 frustrating seasons. Gallardo, another home-grown talent and one of the Brewers’ few organization-developed pitchers, has a $13 million option for next year that the Brewers are planning to exercise. Duke was a multi-role reliever early in the year but settled in as a specialist and could be invited back in 2015 while Reynolds and Overbay will likely give way to a free agent or trade to upgrade the position. The Brewers want Ramirez back, but he might decline the mutual option. Rodriguez’s agent, Scott Boras, pulled off bigger shockers in the past, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the closer lands a multiyear deal somewhere ... or ends up back in Milwaukee again at the last minute.

Martin is the top priority and even frugal owner Bob Nutting says he is such a fan of the veteran catcher that he will likely allow Huntington to overpay him. Liriano and Volquez got their careers back on track with the Pirates while working with pitching coach Ray Searage, but the bad news is that they may have become too rich for Pittsburgh’s blood. Barmes, who was leaning toward retirement for most of the season, has changed course and the Pirates would likely re-sign if he agrees to a low salary.

The team won’t extend $15.3 qualifying offers to any of the first five, but it would like to bring Motte and Neshek back. Neshek’s spectacular season might earn him a multiyear contract and it’s unlikely the Cardinals would be willing to fork out that kind of deal to an eighth-inning reliever. Masterson, Pierzynski and Ellis don’t figure to return. The Cardinals will pick up Lackey’s $500,000 option, a huge pay cut for the veteran due to a clause in his contract related to time missed because to injury.

Santana has said he would like to come back to Atlanta, but he earned $14.1 million on his one-year deal and the Braves may not want to pay that -- or more -- again. Laird was a strong presence in the clubhouse and could return in the backup role he’s played for two years. Bonifacio can play all three outfield spots, second base and shortstop and could be a nice piece for the bench.

The only player the Marlins want to retain off this list is Johnson, a valuable pinch hitter and spare outfielder. But the Marlins will want him at a veterans-minimum-type salary.

NEW YORK METS

FREE AGENTS: OF Bobby Abreu, RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka

This is pretty simple. Abreu is retiring and the versatile Matsuzaka -- who started, pitched in long relief, served as a set-up man and even recorded a save this season -- wants to start, which is an opportunity he won’t get with the Mets.

Burnett is the most interesting case as he can exercise a $15 million option to return next season but is also considering retirement after going 8-18 while pitching with a hernia that needs to be repaired surgically. Kendrick should draw significant interest as a 30-year-old coming off a 199-inning season. Nieves likely won’t be back. The Phillies won’t exercise Adams’ $6 million club option for next season.

While LaRoche hit a team-high 26 homers, the Nationals now need a position for former Gold Glove third baseman Ryan Zimmermann. His $15 million option probably won’t be picked up. Cabrera could seek a move to a team that will allow him to return to his previous position, shortstop. Soriano, who lost his closer role in early September, most likely won’t be back.

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST

HOUSTON ASTROS

FREE AGENTS: RHP Jesse Crain, RHP Matt Albers, RHP Jose Veras

Crain missed the entire season following offseason surgery, a risk the Astros were willing to take to shore up their historically inept bullpen. It seems unlikely that they will sink additional money into Crain.

Grilli and Thatcher both were acquired during midseason trades. Grilli enjoyed his time with the Angels but is an East Coast guy and may look to return there next season. Thatcher was a disappointment with the club, in part of because of an injured ankle, but he could be the lefty the club needs out of the bullpen. McDonald was a serviceable player off the bench for the Angels but is 40 and might retire. Buck isn’t likely to return. The Angels hold a $4.5 million option on Burnett, but they are likely to give him a $500,000 buyout after he underwent a second Tommy John surgery in June. The team might exercise its $7 million option on Street.

Lester will be well out of the Athletics’ price range. After a strong final month of the season, Hammel could command more money than the A’s are willing to spend for a No. 5 starter. Gregerson posted a 2.12 ERA and made 72 appearances, tying Dan Otero for the most outings among A’s relievers. Gregerson was a solid setup man, and the A’s would likely want him back, but he’s hitting the free agent market for the first time in his career and will have options. Lowrie batted .249 -- 41 points lower than in 2013 and battled multiple injuries. The A’s might decide to find another shortstop with greater defensive skills. Callaspo hit just .223 and showed little range at second base.

Beimel gave Seattle a solid lefty specialist in the bullpen this season, and the Mariners are likely to make an effort to bring him back for another year. Chavez signed a minor league deal in each of the past two seasons and worked his way into a significant role on the team. The team figures to pick up the $7 million option on Iwakuma, but the others all could be gone.

Lewis’ agent, Alan Nero, and GM Jon Daniels had very preliminary talks about a new contract. The Rangers share Lewis’ preference to return to be the fifth starter, though Daniels said it would come down to money. Cotts has been a key piece as a left-handed setup reliever. He is expected to have appeal on the market and probably won’t return, but it depends on what the team thinks of LHP Robbie Ross. Baker, a long reliever and spot starter, probably will get another opportunity as he demonstrated durability after dealing with injuries the previous two seasons. Arencibia elected free agency after he was outrighted to the minors in October.

Lindstrom is likely to hit the market as a free agent, after going through a tumultuous season marred by ankle surgery and ineffectiveness. GM Rick Hahn said he’s looking for “upgrades” in the bullpen and Lindstrom’s spot might be one of those targeted. Paulino’s $4 million option likely will be declined.

CLEVELAND INDIANS

FREE AGENTS: DH Jason Giambi, INF Mike Aviles (club option)

The 43-year-old veteran said he hadn’t decided if he will retire or return to play one more year. If he chooses to continue playing, it is questionable whether the Indians would bring him back, because they have several other DH candidates. Cleveland holds a $3.5 million option on Aviles.

If club owner Mike Ilitch wants Scherzer and Martinez back, it won’t be money that causes them to leave. Hunter could retire or could be back on a one-year deal as outfield/bench insurance, but Coke and Chamberlain probably won’t be offered contracts. Johnson might get a minor league offer. The Tigers might pick up Soria’s $7 million option.

Shields’ postseason struggles likely lowered his asking price. Hochevar could seek a make-good contract, as he is rehabbing after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March. Willingham was a bit player after his midseason arrival from Minnesota, so he could be easily replaced. Ibanez, 42, might retire. Butler’s $12.5 million option might be too rich for the Royals.

MINNESOTA TWINS

FREE AGENT: RHP Jared Burton

The Twins declined Burton’s $3.6 million option for 2015, so the reliever likely will be pitching somewhere else next season.

The Orioles would love to have Cruz back, but if he still wants a multiyear deal, he may be too rich for their blood. There is a mutual option on Markakis’ contract, but the club likely will decline and hope to get him to a longer-term deal. The pitchers, aside from Santana, who missed the entire year, all will draw interest from Baltimore.

Uehara lost his closer job late in the season, and the Red Sox say they want him back. Do they make the $15 million qualifying offer to him? If they do, he likely would take it. Badenhop pitched well and could be brought back, Breslow is ... well, left-handed. Ross would like to return to continue to mentor Vazquez.

Robertson has worked his way through the bullpen pecking order to become the closer. Re-signing him should be the Yankees’ biggest priority. Kuroda has been on three one-year deals and is 38-33 as a Yankee. He did not experience fatigue down the stretch this year but will turn 40. The Yankees are old enough and if Kuroda wants to play again, it’s possible they bring him back. The rest all could be headed elsewhere.

The Rays likely will pick up the $7.5 million option on Zobrist. Peralta could become a free agent, as the team might decline his $2.5 million option. The veteran reliever hopes to remain in Tampa Bay. “I want to be here, but I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Peralta said.

Cabrera has expressed a desire to return to Toronto, but will the Blue Jays be able to match competing offers? Janssen, a career Blue Jay, likely will leave. Rasmus hardly played in September; he is on his way out. The oft-injured Morrow, who would get $10 million if his option is picked up, and Santos likely will be bought out and be allowed to become free agents. An attempt could be made to bring back McGowan at a lower rate than the $4 million he would get if his option were picked up. The options of Lind, Happ and Thole likely will be picked up.